Honda Gl1200 (1986)
1986 Honda Gl1200
CarHunch analysed 155 real MOT records for the 1986 Honda Gl1200. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Honda GL1200 passes its MOT first time at 85.2%, which is a solid 5.2 points above the UK average, suggesting these machines are generally well-maintained by their keepers. Dangerous defects have appeared in 16.1% of the cohort over time, which is manageable but worth a pre-purchase inspection focus on braking and suspension systems.
These bikes are running at a median of 54,553 miles—modest for a 38-year-old motorcycle, indicating many are cherished rather than hard-ridden. The average 1.37 failures per test and 3.9 advisories per vehicle suggest routine wear items like tyres, cables, and lights account for most issues; before buying, get a full service history and have a specialist inspect the fuel system and carburettor condition, as these are common weak points on carburettor-era Hondas of this age.
What to check before buying a 1986 Honda Gl1200
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Honda Gl1200
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Honda Gl1200 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1986 Honda Gl1200 vehicles fall between 39,242 and 66,786 miles.
1986 Honda Gl1200 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 25 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Honda Gl1200
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
25.2%
Exhaust is leaking but is not excessively noisey
-
24.4%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
23.5%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
-
19.3%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
13.9%
Offside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
-
12.2%
Nearside Front shock absorber has light misting of stanchion
-
10.1%
Rear Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
-
10.1%
Front Roller brake test indicates a binding brake
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Honda Gl1200?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.